| Lyrics | Critical Analysis |
| Oh baby baby, Oh baby baby |
The continuing use of the word "baby" throughout the song is one of its defining elements, but also one of the more confusing ones. As with the song itself, the word "baby" is open to many different interpretations, ranging from "infant" to an object of extreme affection or devotion. Given the self deprecating nature of this song, it is obvious that the "Oh baby baby" signifies Britney's self reference as an infant, not only capable (as in "Oops...I Did it Again"), but prone to make mistakes in her metaphorical foolishly awkward and uncoordinated infantile state. |
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Oh baby baby, how was I supposed to know that something wasn't right here Oh baby baby, I shouldn't have let you go and now you're out of sight, yeah show me how you want it to be tell me baby cuz I need to know now, oh because |
Here Britney realizes the mistake she made and her ignorance. With her 20/20 hindsight, she realizes that something wasn't right "here" (italics mine), where "here" is perhaps the most important single word in this verse. While it is clear that many things aren't right there, and everywhere else, Britney emphasizes the importance of analysing one's own situation to realize that we are indeed all part of this chaotic, amoral, happenstance, cold, uncaring universe with no regard for our best interest or personal preference, and if we are to persevere, we must stop Waiting for Godot (Beckett). But she acknowledges the difficulty of doing this by dwelling on her past mistakes through the course of the song, owning up to her personal responsibility, but never taking that step forward to move beyond and to conquer the demons that plague us all. This fundamental incompetence she feels is perhaps a Freudian projection of her inhibitions and fear of failure in a sexual context. This theme will be echoed later in the song. |
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:Chorus: My loneliness is killin me (and I) I must confess I still believe (still believe) When I'm not with you I lose my mind give me a sign, hit me baby one more time! |
Despite the overtly sorrowful tone of the song, Britney reminds her fans that she does not take a pessimistic view of the world and still maintains hope and faith in the human race, which is especially inspiring in light of her strenuous and difficult cirumstances and the mood of utter despair set in the previous verses. Upon hearing the "still believe" and the parenthetical echo, fans of Britney are compelled to stand on their feet, almost brought to tears, and yell, "Go Britney!" |
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Oh baby baby, the reason I breathe is you Boy you've got me blinded Oh pretty baby, there's nothin that I wouldn't do That's not the way I planned it Show me how you want it to be tell me baby cuz I need to know now, oh because |
Quick sidenote: notice how Britney is "blinded." This theme of sense-deprivation is typical of her. |
| :Chorus: |
Perhaps the most puzzing part of the Chorus is the significance of the "Hit me," which is for some reason left out of the title of the song. Though the traditional interpretation of the phrase is of a Blackjack game, where Britney requests to be "hit," or gain more cards, ie information, as in the "sign," it is arguable that such an interpretation is misguided and erroneous. Instead, I believe that her request to be hit is literal, essentially masochistic, expressing her desire to be punished for the mistake she made. This is where her sexual inhibitions are echoed. Her inability to control her own destiny is reflected in her literal desire to be struck and punished and to give over her sexual control to an outside agent. |
Oh baby baby, how was I supposed to know Oh pretty baby, I shouldn't have let you go I must confess that my loneliness is killin me now don't you know I still believe that you will be here and give me a sign, hit me baby one more time |
This repetition serves more to maintain symmetry than to emphasize the themes, unlike "Oops...I Did it Again." |
| :Chorus: | Thank you, sir. May I have another? |
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I must confess (my loneliness) that my loneliness (is killing me) Is killing me now (I must confess) Don't you (I still believe) know I still believe that you will be here (I lose my mind) And give me a sign... HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME! |
The song is essentially Britney's quest to get closer to God. She begs to fill the spiritual emptiness she feels at the begining through her psychosexual relationship with her imaginary god figure. Freud argued that our concept of "God" was an attempt to create a father figure in a universe where there is no justice, punishment or protection. The God Britney imagines serves doubly to establish the justice and to deliver the punishment she asked for earlier, but also to take control of her life through the masochistic sexual Oedipus complex, established earlier. |
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